County eyes changes, not sale, of Pocopson Home

WEST CHESTER — The administrator of Chester County’s Pocopson Home on Tuesday laid out a plan to strengthen finances at the long term care facility as county commissioners signaled that no change in ownership of the facility is being considered.

R. Alan Larson told the three commissioners that establishing a short term rehabilitation in one of the facility’s nursing wings could bring in as much as $480,000 a year. Also, Larson said Pocopson could save $180,000 by laundering its linen and towels in house rather than having it done commercially.

“We feel like these are good moves for the community,” Larson told the commissioners in presenting the plan for the rehabilitation unit. “There is value to the program to the community,” and extra revenue to be gathered as well.

In tacitly giving the go-ahead to Larson’s plan for the rehab unit and laundry changes, the commissioners said they would not be considering any sale of the beloved facility, or revamping of its organizational structure, as had been explored in a series of public meeting with county consultants in 2012.

“The public meetings demonstrated that there is a strong desire to keep Pocopson Home the way it is now,” said Chairman Ryan Costello. “There is a historic connection for a lot of people with Pocopson Home.”

The possibility the county could see an improvement of the facility’s finances of more than $600,000 before capital costs was an opportunity the board suggested would be well worth taking.

“I think these are good opportunities for us to pursue,” said Vice Chairwoman Kathi Cozzone. “And as we work through these, we should continue to consider other options.”

A report commissioned by the county last year and presented by Premier Healthcare Resources of King of Prussia had identified additional possible means of bringing revenue into Pocopson. Because of changes in Medicare and Medicaid insurance payments for patients at the facility, the county had begun to spend money for upkeep of the home rather than having it meet its own budget.

Premier listed as revenue enhancements a short-term rehab unit, as well as a dialysis unit, a ventilator unit, an adult day care program, and a personal care or assisted living program as possibilities. The only option that Larson mentioned Tuesday was the rehab unit, which could take payments from Medicare and commercial insurance plans for orthopedic or surgical patients.

The commissioners acknowleged Tuesday that none of the other possibilities were “being actively considered,” and that the changes that Larson was suggesting would not need their approval until contacts had to be formalized for renovation work.

Larson said that the rehab patients would not necessarily have to be seniors, and would likely stay on average of two or three weeks, depending on their severity of their case. He said there is an identified need for short-term options throughout the region.

Larson said the plan identified 16 beds out of the home’s 275-bed capacity that could eventually be transformed into such a unit. Currently there are two beds being used for short-term care. Apex Rehab Inc., which is currently used by Pocopson for some services, would be able to assist in marketing and providing some aid.

Larson said approximately $9,000 per bed would be needed for first-time renovation costs.

In addition, the county would need to make renovations to its laundry facility to handle the increased loads from linens and towels. Currently, the laundry is confined to washing residents’ clothing, Larson said.

The renovation costs for the two new services would be in addition to the $5 million in other capital expenses that Premier identified at the facility. The firm suggested the upgrades should be completed over the next five years.